Northern Light (spacecraft)

Northern Light is a planned Canadian unmanned Mars mission. The project several Canadian universities, private research institutions and companies involved, but not the State Space Agency CSA. The Canadian company Thoth Technology, headquartered in Kettleby is the main operating companies of the project. Planned start of the mission was in 2012.

History

The project was officially launched in 2001 by Ben Quine of York University in Toronto in life. The York University, the Canadian Space Program promoted decisively and developed and produced many scientific instruments and assemblies. Many of these developed from York University systems are on spaceships and probes that NASA has used. The York University has developed the weather station for Mars Phoenix Lander ( NASA).

Several other universities have this project connected: Alberta, Toronto, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Western Ontario, Saskatchewan, Calgary, New Brunswick, McGill University and Simon Fraser University. The control center for the period after landing on Mars will be established at the University of York.

Other companies involved in the project: Magellan Aerospace, ENNIX Technology, EADS Astrium, Spectral Applied Research, MDA Space Missions; CATA Alliance; Sensor & Software Inc, COM DEV International.

Mission Objectives

  • Search for life on Mars
  • Search of water
  • Measurement of electromagnetic pollution and analysis of the constituents of the atmosphere
  • Preparation and exploration for a manned Mars mission

Construction

The probe consists of four parts:

  • From an engine that brings the probe to the correct orbit around Mars, and also provides for the exact entry into the Martian atmosphere.
  • A heat shield ensures that the probe does not burn up upon entry into the Martian atmosphere.
  • The probe is slowed down with the help of parachutes and protected with an airbag system before too fast landing.
  • Will have the actual landing unit consists of the probe itself and a Rover will weigh 6 kg and a maximum range of about 1 km to the landing site.

The lander carries various scientific instruments that are developed and manufactured at the universities and companies of the consortium.

With environmental sensors, data of the landing area measured and recorded: UV radiation, air pressure, temperature, dust density, wind speed and ground vibrations. Some of these instruments have been developed for Beagle 2, the lander of ESA's Mars Express in the UK.

The spectrometer Aurora works at a wavelength of 625 nm to 2500 nm and recorded the whole sky. The instrument will analyze the composition of the atmosphere of Mars. A second spectrometer called Argus 4000 will analyze rock reflections.

The cameras on board of the country have different focal lengths. Special filters are designed to help identify various minerals on Mars. Furthermore, to be carried out with this camera and astronomical observations. A replay of the earth from the surface of Mars may be possible.

With the seismometer Massur Seismic sensor the soil of Mars is being explored. To an active source of vibration and acceleration sensors are used to determine the elastic and mechanical properties of the soil. Sedimentary rock, permafrost and water supply while different values. For redundancy reasons, an identical device is on the rover.

The lander carries in a hermetically sealed capsules some DVDs with releases of Canadians.

Rover

The rover named Beaver is needed to explore the geological conditions. Beaver will weigh about 6 lbs and is relatively independent of the Lander. Its operating range is about 1 km. Just as the lander, the rover is equipped with a camera, a spectrometer and a seismometer.

In addition, Beaver has a ground radar. Its 200 - MHz signal has a penetration depth of 20 m in soft ground and up to 100 m in permafrost and ice. The radar systems shared with the seismometer.

Beaver is also equipped with a drill capable of about 10 mm deep drilling in rock. Together with the Aurora spectrometer and a microscope can thus be searched for biological evidence.

Mission start

The launch was scheduled for 2012. To use launcher there is no data available.

Ground station

The project was selected in the Algonquin Radio Observatory in Ontario Algonquin Provincial Park. After starting the probe, the telescope will start operating and check the flight path and the systems. The telescope has a 46 meter main reflector. Currently the telescope is operated by Thoth Technology for various missions.

Phoenix (spacecraft)
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